Lionel Messi etched his name deeper into football history at the FIFA World Cup 2026 when he curled home a trademark left-footed finish in Argentina's second group game against Austria — becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.

The 38-year-old's record-breaking goal came hot on the heels of a hat-trick in the tournament opener, leaving him as one of the leading contenders for the Golden Boot — the one individual honour at a World Cup finals that has eluded him throughout his extraordinary career.

Chasing history at every turn

Messi has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, a feat only two other players in the tournament's history have matched: France's Just Fontaine and Brazil's Jairzinho, both in 1958. No player has ever scored in seven straight World Cup matches.

His creative output has been equally remarkable. According to Opta, Messi needs just one more assist to become the all-time leading chance creator in World Cup history since records began in 1966 — a record he currently shares with his idol, Diego Maradona.

With a third group game against Jordan still to come, the Inter Miami forward is firmly in the hunt for the tournament's top individual prizes as Argentina defend their crown.

'I didn't think Messi could still do it'

When Argentina were eliminated by France in Russia at the 2018 World Cup, many assumed that Messi's days of shaping tournaments single-handedly were behind him. He answered every doubter four years later, captaining Argentina to the trophy in Qatar with seven goals. Now, at 38, he is surpassing even that.

Wayne Rooney, who faced Messi in both the 2009 and 2011 UEFA Champions League finals as part of the Manchester United side that lost to Barcelona, admits the Argentine has defied all expectation.